U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Protect Borrowers

Related

AARP asked the Supreme Court to reverse a decision that impedes state efforts to protect their residents against some of the most egregious predatory lending practices. AARP Indiana had actively supported enactment of the law in question. The court declined to consider the case.
Background

Midwest Title Loans charges borrowers an annual percentage rate of 300 percent for small amounts of cash secured by titles to their cars. Relying on a business model common to the car title lending industry, the company loans the money for a short period of time (usually 30 days) and allows the borrower to extend the loan at the end of that period — for an additional fee — often trapping a borrower in an endless spiral of debt. When the borrower defaults, the company can repossess the car without going to court because of the agreement the borrower signs, recordation of a lien with the state motor vehicles agency and possession of a set of car keys obtained at the time the loan is made.

Car title loans are part of a class of predatory loan products that are growing by leaps and bounds, and that are increasingly subject to state scrutiny. In fact, most states now regulate car title lending, in part because of concerns about the vital link between consumers ability to maintain a reliable form of transportation and ability to work, contribute to economic vitality and provide families access to medical, education and emergency needs — needs the states must meet if families cannot. The Department of Defense considers both payday loans and car title loans predatory.

Despite governmental concerns, lenders keep finding new ways to skirt regulatory laws. The availability of marketing credit options on the Internet has enabled many lenders to evade state laws, characterizing the transactions as originating in a less regulated state despite the fact that the entire face-to-face transaction may take place in a more regulated state. Others market across state lines, seeking to reach borrowers just over the border of a more regulated state.
The State Law

AARP Indiana worked with the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) supporting passage of 2007 legislation that mandates that out-of-state lenders who solicit Indiana borrowers comply with Indiana law. The state law imposes Indiana licensing and regulatory requirements on out-of-state lenders who solicit (through advertisements, mail or other means) borrowers in Indiana and restricts lenders from charging more than 36 percent annual interest.

After the law was passed, DFI sent letters to various lenders, including Illinois car title lenders, threatening them with enforcement action if they continued to make loans to Indiana consumers in excess of 36 percent. Midwest Title Loans, a car title lender based in Illinois that charges interest rates in excess of 36 percent, sued DFI seeking to invalidate the law.

States are prohibited by the U.S. Constitution from regulating the business activities in other states or regulating transactions in a way that impedes commerce across state lines, and Midwest invoked this clause in challenging the law. A trial court and appeals court agreed with Midwest and ruled that the law violated the Constitution. The state of Indiana asked the U.S. Supreme Court to consider the matter and the court declined.

Search Legal Advocacy

FindLegal Cases

Find the most recent cases in which AFL has advocated in courts nationwide for the rights of older persons, and filed AARP’s amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) briefs that help courts decide precedent-setting cases.

Make a Difference — support programs that help vulnerable seniors who are struggling to make ends meet.